Does the 2023 Volvo XC40 Recharge Have Android Auto?
If you’re in the market for an eco-friendly crossover SUV, the 2023 Volvo XC40 Recharge might be worth a look. The EV boasts a host of desirable tech and infotainment features. But does the 2023 Volvo XC40 Recharge have Android Auto? Read on to find out.
Mobile technology has advanced so rapidly since the start of the millennium. So much so that consumers have come to expect the same access to information, communication, and entertainment when they’re on the road. But automakers often struggle to keep up with the progress of smartphones and apps.
As soon as new models launch, their navigation and infotainment systems are already obsolete, and drivers end up using their smartphones instead. To solve this problem, carmakers began working with mobile platforms to build interfaces that mirror the appearance and contemporaneity of mobile devices.
Enter: Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
What is Android Auto, and how does it work?
Android Auto is a program that integrates Android phones into a car’s infotainment system. With Android Auto, you can connect your Android smartphone to your car’s display screen to listen to music, make hands-free calls, access navigation tools, etc., on the road.
By connecting your smartphone to the head unit in your car, Android Auto lets you see a simplified version of your smartphone screen on your vehicle’s infotainment display. Though you can access some apps and features, including phone calls, messages, music streaming, and navigation, you can’t use all smartphone functions to make it easier and safer to drive — yet.
As explained above, Android Auto mirror’s the phone’s screen on the car’s central display so that you can activate apps with a simple tap. How is this functionality achieved? This feature requires a constant connection between your smartphone and your car’s infotainment system.
In compatible vehicles, you can use Android Auto wirelessly and/or plug it in using a USB cable. Wireless projection is compatible with any phone running the Android 11 operating system, Android Authority explains. Your handset does all the computing and projects the various apps and content on your car’s central touchscreen. Android Auto supports both touchscreen and button-controlled navigation.
Does the 2023 Volvo XC40 Recharge have Android Auto?
Android Auto is not available on all new cars, and some manufacturers have made it an expensive option. So, does the 2023 Volvo XC40 Recharge have Android Auto? Unfortunately for Android users, the answer is no. However, they can still connect their phones using Bluetooth, which allows users to access certain phone functions, such as hands-free calling and music playlists.
Other tech and infotainment features in the 2023 Volvo XC40 Recharge include Apple CarPlay (Apple’s equivalent of Android Auto but for iPhones), built-in Google, and a Harmon Kardon sound system (on the top trim).
Overview of the 2023 Volvo XC40 Recharge
The 2023 XC40 Recharge packs two electric motors. One motor drives the front wheels, while the other powers the rear wheels, giving Volvo’s new electric crossover full-time all-wheel drive. In addition, the 402-hp motors can push the EV to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds. The XC40 Recharge is available in three trims: Core, Plus, and Ultimate.
The starting price for the base-model Core is $54,645, according to Volvo. The Plus and Ultimate start at $57,345 and $60,595.
Though the 2023 Volvo XC40 Recharge lacks Android Auto, it provides a powerful electric powertrain, a decent electric range of 223 miles, a 2,000-pound towing capacity, and a plethora of tech and infotainment features.
As practical and stylish as its gasoline-powered counterpart, the 2023 Volvo XC40 Recharge is the ideal five-seat compact crossover for drivers looking to go electric tastefully.